Report of the MCAA Convention Committee
Words: Frank CampitelliThe 2006 Masonry Showcase in Las Vegas is already a resounding success, and the exhibit floor hasn't even opened to the public yet! We will be featuring over 15,000 square feet of masonry products and services, with 15 new exhibitors. We expect continued enthusiasm from our exhibitors regarding our floor traffic (augmented by the presence of the CSI attendees) and the same positive feedback as in 2005 from the MCAA and CSI attendees about the featured exhibits.
This year, we are offering 11 educational sessions (including one presented by the Laborers' Health and Safety Council) and two seminars - Basic Masonry Estimating and Foreman Development. The seminars are both already underway, and are well-attended. Once again this year, both the MCAA's and CSI's educational sessions are open to any attendees who have purchased an education package. This cross-training of our industry is a nice feature of our partnership.
We are also offering our two highlighted skills competitions: Fastest Trowel on the Block and the International Masonry Skills Challenge. These two events have been fully sponsored, Fastest Trowel by Quikrete as a primary sponsor, and Skills Challenge by 12 individual industry suppliers. Although 2005 was the first year for the Masonry: It Makes a Village contest, and it was quite popular on-site, it was cancelled from our schedule due to lack of interest from contestants.
This Masonry Showcase marks our second, and last, co-located show with CSI as Construct America. We have declined furthering our partnership with CSI based on their decision to move their annual show to June. The MCAA's attendees are far too busy in the summer months, and February/ March is a much more attractive time frame.
Upcoming meetings for the MCAA will be the Mid-Year Meeting in Maui, Hawaii in November 2006 and tentatively Baltimore, Maryland in 2007. The 2007 Mid-Year Meeting may be followed by an Industry Tour to Verona, Italy. The Showcase for 2007 is booked at the Peabody Hotel and the Orlando Convention Center for February 22-24. NCMA will still be located with their precast partners in Orlando at the same time. We hope to have joint social events with them in Orlando.